How to Prepare & Cope With Painful Experiences

Everyone has their down days, regardless of how cautious that person is. Painful experiences that make us regret or rethink things are inevitable and can come numerous times throughout our life. We can do nothing but prepare and cope with such phases until it eventually subsides. Unfortunately, not everyone is equipped mentally and physically to gracefully deal with painful experiences. This can sometimes result in actions that cause harm to oneself or to other people around you.

Preparing For Painful Experiences

A common experience associated with pain is your occasional dental visit. Whether it be root canal or general cleaning, the process is gruelingly long and obviously uncomfortable since someone’s fingers are navigating across your teeth and gums for most of the visit. Aside from the procedures, the long wait to the dentist’s chair is a tribulation in itself. A good dental care provider like Westmount Dental Centre may be able to lessen the traumatizing experience that has stigmatized the dental industry for decades. A good Edmonton emergency dentist should be available round the clock to ensure urgent care needs are met and taken care of as soon as possible.

Coping With Painful Experiences

Mindset is key to pain management. Focusing on something more relaxing is a great coping mechanism that has been tried and tested for a long time. Try putting yourself in a calm, reclined position in a dimly lit environment. Either shut your eyes or concentrate on a point, like a finger or a corner of the room.

Deep breathing exercises are another common coping mechanism when faced with painful and unbearable experiences. Breathe deeply with the chest and abdomen rising simultaneously. Continue this exercise for about 2 to 3 minutes. Imagery techniques may be used in combination to make coping more effective.

Other Coping Mechanisms

You can try a technique called “altered focus” which is really simple to do. It demonstrates how powerful the mind can work if used properly. Focus your attention on any particular non-painful body part like the foot or hand and redirect sensation in that part of the body. For instance, imagine your right arm is warming up so your mind does not focus on the actual source of pain, which could be back or leg pain.

Sensory splitting is a similar technique that involves separating the sensation into various body parts. For instance, if your back pain feels unbearably hot, focus on the sensation of heat rather than the radiating pain.

Our Mission

Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) provides basic human services and enrichment programs to low-income family members, using community resources. IFCS fosters self-sufficiency and respects the dignity of each client. It serves the people of Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.

2015-2016 IFCS By The Numbers

123,858 - Number of Meals Given Out12,431 - Family Members received services3,593 Volunteers who donated 5,619 Hours

How to Help?

Our largest need at IFCS is food, clothing and financial support. Volunteer opportunities at IFCS are numerous and include a range of different ways to help.